How long have you been an oncology social worker?
I began working as a medical social worker in a hospital setting in 1990. That position prepared me for my first OSW position with an outpatient oncology clinic in January, 2000. It was quickly apparent that this is the work I was meant to do.

Where do you currently work? What is your position? How long have you been there? Include prior Oncology SW work.
I have been at the SCL Cancer Centers of Colorado at Saint Joseph Hospital (SJH) in Denver, since March 2009. I am the first oncology social worker for this program and established the current workflow and interdisciplinary team integration here. Currently I am a “working manager” for the Cancer Support Services department leading a team of oncology social workers and registered dietitians dedicated to serving our patients and families. I also lead the SCL System oncology social work group serving eight oncology care sites in Colorado and Montana, with an emphasis on standardizing and elevating our practice.

Prior to working at SJH, I worked at a hospital and outpatient oncology clinic in Fort Collins, Colorado. In addition, I helped develop and deliver curriculum for the NCI-funded CO Patient Navigation Training Collaborative beginning in 2004.

Where did you earn your degrees?
I received my BSW from Colorado State University and my MSW from University of Denver.

How long have you been a member of AOSW?
Since 2000.

Have you attended the AOSW conference? When/where?
Yes, several over the years! I try to attend every other year or so. Conferences that I remember most were in Minneapolis, Louisville, Austin, San Diego, Seattle, Denver and Tucson. I’ve collected a lot of the conference bags and still use some of them today.

Other professional affiliations?
I’m a member of NASW as well as the CO Cancer Coalition where I currently serve as co-chair of the Survivorship and Palliative Care Task Force.

In your role as an oncology social worker/clinician, what is one of your favorite resources to share with clients? Why?
I love to tell patients about the array of support and education programs available through CancerCare and Living Beyond Breast Cancer. Locally, I also love to inform patients and family about the Domus Pacis Respite Program that offers a week of free lodging and activities in beautiful Breckenridge, Colorado.

In your experience with survivors, would you share a memorable story with us?
One of the most memorable occurred during a breast cancer support group I was facilitating years ago. Participants were talking about the challenges that come with wearing breast prosthetics. The stories quickly turned humorous when an older woman relayed her experience with earlier versions of inflatable prosthetics that popped out of her swimsuit in the public pool and inflated further when flying on an airplane, apparently causing the passenger in the seat next to her to drink more heavily. We all laughed until we cried. I truly appreciate the power of humor to weave its way into all of life’s most challenging life events. We all left that group feeling much lighter in our hearts.

In that “little something more” section, what is one thing you might share with us about you personally, one that is outside of your work life?
Early in my social work career, I used to perform with a dance team for the studio I attended for lessons. Unfortunately, I have not maintained the skills and talent needed to perform for many years now, but I still love the expressiveness and freedom of movement that dance offers. So I live vicariously through all the amazing dance performances I watch on television or in theaters.  It moves my soul! I still cry when I see beautiful live performances of the Nutcracker ballet.

Anything more you’d like to tell us?
I have two amazing sons and daughters-in-law who have given us four bright and beautiful grandchildren. They live in nearby cities so my husband and I get to enjoy their company and shenanigans often. Our living room proudly contains a small ball pit and slide, among many other toys, as evidence of the place they hold in our hearts. We also just adopted two sister puppies from a rescue agency and are mostly enjoying the adventure with them. There are, however, some repairs and replacements caused by their chewing enthusiasm that we could do without.